Sep 203 min read

Bible Study of Ephesians Chapter Three

In our Bible Study of Ephesians Chapter Three, Paul unveils the beautiful truth of God’s comprehensive love, and the mystery revealed through Christ. That mystery is the plan of salvation. It’s a mystery because it is entirely accomplished without our work, tasks, or effort. We believe by faith and accept the free gift of salvation. No work or works are involved, which is completely different from every other religion that has ever existed. All other religions are works-based. Paul shares these beautiful truths with us in chapter three of Ephesians. Ephesians 3.

Prisoner of Jesus Christ

Paul introduces himself as a prisoner of Jesus Christ for the Gentiles. Paul is a bondservant of Christ as Christ’s mouthpiece to share the gospel with the Gentiles. His love and faith in Christ bind him as a willing servant. We, too, are to be willing servants of Christ, choosing to do things God’s way instead of our way, Satan’s way, or the way of the world. We are servants of Christ by faith and through obedience because we love Him for all he has done for us, not out of obligation. An obligatory servant would be a servant based on works, not faith.

Paul reveals the specific revelation of the gospel concerning the grace of God through our faith in Christ alone for our salvation, specifically to the Gentiles, but to all that would listen and respond to the gospel. He calls this true route to salvation a mystery. The mystery of the gospel was not revealed in the past, but he is sharing it with us now. So Gentile saints are now joint heirs with Christ and the Jewish saints. We are all the body of Christ by God’s grace as we embrace the gospel.

Jesus Christ is the Beginning of Everything

The Apostle Paul shares that this mystery of the gospel began at the beginning of everything, and God created all things through Jesus Christ. This truth is further confirmed in John 1:1-3. Paul is sharing this information to provide the manifold wisdom of God. Manifold means abundant, so Paul desires to share the abundance of the gospel. The gospel is abundant in grace, mercy, assurance, hope, generosity, love, and much more. The gospel exemplifies the wisdom of God and the assurance of eternal life, an eventual home in heaven, and an eternal relationship with God.

All are welcome into the kingdom of God through Christ our Savior and Lord, and we can press forward with boldness and confidence in our faith. Then Paul urges the Ephesians not to falter because of the afflictions he is enduring. He was enduring prison in Rome for preaching the gospel in 62 AD. He wants the Ephesians and, by extension, us to stay strong in our faith. Remaining faithful during trials and tribulations is difficult, but Paul encourages us to stay strong in our faith.

Pray for Spiritual Strength

Paul bows his knee and prays fervently for the Ephesians and, by extension, us. He asks God to strengthen us with power through the Spirit and for Christ to dwell in our hearts through our faith in Christ alone for our salvation. He prays for us to grasp the limitless dimensions of Christ’s love by reminding us that Christ’s love exceeds all knowledge or understanding. Christ’s love is infinite.